tell me about the Single Recto

brit84

brit84

New member
Tell me about this amp! I play metal (sabbath, priest, doom, ksw style etc.)

Would this amp fit in well?

Are there multiple versions of this amp? (like the series 1/2 of the stilletto, or two/three channel dual rectos?)

The one im looking at is 5 years old, should i be concerned about anything besides the tubes?


thanks!
 
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Re: tell me about the Single Recto

I have a Single Rec, which I've owned for a few years now. I mainly use it with a JB-loaded '94 Les Paul Standard. I'm in a Tool tribute band, so I keep it in "Modern" mode on Channel 2. These things come with 6L6s, but I recently swapped them out for Mesa-branded EL-34s at the recommendation of some other guys on this forum. It made a significant, positive difference. I liked the sound of the Single Rec with 6L6s, but I love the sound of those EL-34s—more organic and crunchier, less sterile.

For more classic rock tones, I'll plug my SG Classic (P-90s) into the Single Rec and set the second channel to "Vintage." Excellent, more Marshall-esque tones there. It definitely has an Angus vibe.

You should be aware that the effects loop is parallel, not series. In practical terms, that means some of your time-based effects may sound like crap in the loop. I found this to be especially true of my Line 6 DL-4 (delay modeler) and Boss DD-3 digital delay unit. You can have the effects loop modified to be in series, rather than parallel. I may do that with my Single Rec one day, but for now I'm living with keeping my effects in front of the amp.

The newer Single Recs have the "Series 2" designation. Mine is a Series 2. What exactly the difference is between this an the older series, I'm not sure. Look that up and educate yourself, and be sure you know which series is the one you're looking at. There's also a Rect-O-Verb, which I understand to be the same as the Single Rec but with tremolo and reverb. I've never used a Rect-O-Verb, so I can't be much help there, but you should know it's out there.

Are you looking at a head only, or is it a combo? Speakers will make a difference.

Hope this helps!

- Keith
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

brit84 said:
its a head only, ill be using with my g flex 2x12
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that setup will have some serious low-end . . .

The bias switch that lets you swap 6L6/EL34 was not added until series 2. the 50W amps sound best with EL34 so I would recommend getting an amp with the selectable bias.

series 2 also added the "raw" voicing to channel 2. basically a crunch mode, not as hot as "vintage."

no reason not to get the series 2 in my opinion.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

There's also a Rect-O-Verb, which I understand to be the same as the Single Rec but with tremolo and reverb
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Not to nitpick, but the Rect-o-verb only has the Reverb, not the Tremelo. That'd be the harder to find Trem-o-verb version.

I also just picked up the EL34's for my Rectoverb today, to swap out the 6L6's. I'm hoping for that same liked it before, love it now effect.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

Gdntoneguitars said:
Not to nitpick, but the Rect-o-verb only has the Reverb, not the Tremelo. That'd be the harder to find Trem-o-verb version.

I also just picked up the EL34's for my Rectoverb today, to swap out the 6L6's. I'm hoping for that same liked it before, love it now effect.
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:smack:

I did mean the Trem-O-Verb.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

Great amp! All settings are usable and very cool. I played one in a modern rock project for about 5 years through both a 1 x 12 and 2 x 12 Recto cab and it's a surprisingly versatile amp.

50 watts is great because you can give it a good push too.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

I did mean the Trem-O-Verb.
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Have you played a Tremoverb? I wonder how the trem effect sounds in it. Most of what I've heard in other tube amps that equip the trem/vibrato effect are lacking in one way or another, other than the old Marshall 1974 combo.

It'd be fun to side by side a couple of these amps and tear through 'em. Just put the EL34's in the rectoverb and there's a noticeable difference, feels more like home than the 6L6's.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

Does the series 2 Rectoverb have the dropout when switching channels?
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

some_dude said:
Does the series 2 Rectoverb have the dropout when switching channels?
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you mean that very slight delay in channel switch?

man it's been a few years since I sold mine . . . but I think it did. It wasn't horrible.

unless you're doing the now cliche brutal heavy metal to instant crystal clean, it won't be noticeable on stage.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

CaughtLikeFire said:
you mean that very slight delay in channel switch?

man it's been a few years since I sold mine . . . but I think it did. It wasn't horrible.

unless you're doing the now cliche brutal heavy metal to instant crystal clean, it won't be noticeable on stage.
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Is it a delay, in that you press the switch and a fraction of a second later it changes channel?

Or does it actually drop out... as in a fraction of a second volume cut?

I've never totally understood what actually happens, but it's prevented me from trying/buying Single Rectos/Rectoverbs in the past.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

some_dude said:
Is it a delay, in that you press the switch and a fraction of a second later it changes channel?

Or does it actually drop out... as in a fraction of a second volume cut?

I've never totally understood what actually happens, but it's prevented me from trying/buying Single Rectos/Rectoverbs in the past.
Click to expand...

more like the second one . . .

it's been so long since I've played it though. as I recall, some of the other amps had this issue too, not just the single Rec. Maybe it was the early Roadsters?
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

I'll have to bring my channel switch to rehearsal this weekend and let you know about the dropout/delay.

- Keith
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

So the seller for the single recto wont get back to me with if it is a series one or two so ive been looking elsewhere.

Found a dual recto..........Question!: are all the three channel rectos also series 2 rectos (if there is a series 2 dual)

thanks
 
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Re: tell me about the Single Recto

brit84 said:
Found a dual recto..........Question!: are all the three channel rectos also series 2 rectos (if there is a series 2 dual)
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yes. there are only 2 types of rectos, the old 2 channel version which some say has better tone; and the new 3 channel version. I really like the 3 channel version because of the versatility and the pedal has an effects assignable loop which means if you want a wet clean sound, you just stomp on one pedal. so you dont have to do the pedal dance. Ive played and like both versions of the dual recto 100watt head, prolly the amp I would buy if I was gonna buy an amp.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

everdrone said:
yes. there are only 2 types of rectos, the old 2 channel version which some say has better tone; and the new 3 channel version.
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the earliest 2 channel Rectos used a Mark series output transformer and are considered to have the "best" tone. I've never played a pre 700 or pre 1000 (whichever it was) but I do prefer the tone of the 2-channel to the 3-channel.

the more complicated a circuit gets, the more it seems to lose some of the tube amp mojo
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

The newer 3 channel Duals have been revoiced. The older ones are a bit brighter while the new ones are a little warmer. However they all still sound like Rectos.
 
Re: tell me about the Single Recto

CaughtLikeFire said:
the more complicated a circuit gets, the more it seems to lose some of the tube amp mojo
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The 2 and 3 channel Recto's also differ in that they are constructed COMPLETELY differently. The OG have a PCB with flying leads, and the 3 channel amps have PCB with ribbon cables going to other PCB's.
 
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